One of the very first important things you need to know with regards to hanging shelves and pictures safely is to take the time to do the job correctly. Properly installed shelves can last for years, whereas a job that’s been rushed can make your shelves both ugly and dangerous. Before you set about doing this, you will, indeed, need to know where you want to place the shelves or pictures and then gather the proper tools and materials.
Lots of homes have drywall for their interior walls, which is not strong enough to hold heavy objects. To hang shelves and large pictures, you need to anchor them to the wooden studs in your walls. To identify them where they are, you have to use a stud finder. It is necessary to place shelf supports and picture hangers on wooden studs to keep the shelves and pictures from falling, maybe wrecking walls and floors and in all probability even injuring someone.
Then, plan out the placement of your shelves and pictures. Use a measuring tape, pencil, and a level to ensure that your installation will result in proper placement. In case that you are hanging shelves at a height that would require a ladder, see to it to engage proper safety precautions. Ladders alone injure more people than any other household accident.
For pictures, the height at which you hang your pictures is critical. Once done haphazardly, the result could appear to be out of balance or unprofessional. As a guiding principle, the center of a framed picture should be located approximately 57 inches above the floor (this is eye level for the average person). Measure and mark the placement of each picture conscientiously before advancing to the next step.
Following that, you may then need to determine what type of screws, anchors, and brackets you will need to support the item’s weight. For shelves, be sure to include the weight of the objects that will be stored there. It is always a great idea to overestimate the weight, just to be safe. To place screws, anchors, and brackets in the studs and walls, you could very likely need a drill driver or other power tool.
Always remember to educate yourself on the proper use of your drill driver before attempting to use it for the first time. Assuming you’d like to hang shelves or pictures on a brick or concrete wall, that will require a masonry bit and plastic anchors to install the screws required to hold the shelf or picture in place. When the time comes that you’re ready to install the shelf or picture, take into consideration having someone there with you to help lift and steady things. Another opinion on your placement and measurements never hurts, either.
If screws, drills, and power tools are not something you are used to using, pictures can also be secured to the walls by other methods such as double-sided adhesives. Remember, some adhesives may be permanent or removable, so make certain to choose the one that best corresponds to your desires and needs.
By taking a few precautions and choosing the right tools, you can start hanging shelves and pictures on the walls of your Beebe rental home in no time.
Need a new rental home to hang your art? Check out and go over our current selection of rental listings and give Real Property Management Delta a call at 501-404-0674 to freely discuss with one of our Beebe property managers today.